Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2004-05: Kyle Lawson was drafted in 2004 by Tri-City in the USHL, but chose to join the US NTDP program in Ann Arbor. In 46 games with the NTDP U-18 squad he scored 5 goals with 21 assists with 8 PIM. Also represented the United States at the WJC U-18 tournament with 1 goal and 1 assist in six games.

2005-06: Joined Tri-City of the USHL before embarking on his college career with Notre Dame. In 49 games with the Storm, he scored 9 goals with 13 assists and 40 PIM and was-3 for the season. Also played one playoff game.

2006-07: Established a place for himself as a freshman at Notre Dame, appearing in 38 games and scoring 4 goals with 15 assists while posting an impressive +20 plus/minus. Lawson's 15 assists were second only to Wes O'Neill (COL) amongst Fighting Irish defensemen as Notre Dame rolled to the CCHA regular season and tournament titles and finished with a record of 32-7-3. He also represented the U.S. in Sweden at the WJC U-20 tournament, teamming with fellow Hurricanes prospect Jamie McBain. Lawson was a +1 in seven games for the bronze medal winners.

2007-08: Lawson, like McBain at Wisconsin, stepped into a big role early in his collegiate career. Paired with freshman Ian Cole (STL), a 2007 first round pick, Lawson helped lead Notre Dame to a berth in the NCAA title game. In the Frozen Four semifinals, the Fighting Irish knocked off Michigan, a team that had beaten them twice earlier in the season, 5-4 in OT. Notre Dame fell to Boston College, 4-1, in the Frozen Four championship game to finish with a record of 27-16-4 with Lawson being selected to the NCAA All-Tournament team. In 45 games for the Fighting Irish, he 5 goals with 21 assists and was +13 with 36 PIM.

2008-09: Lawson was again a leader for Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish rolled to a CCHA regular season title and won 12 of their last 13 games including the CCHA championship game against Michigan before being stunned by Bemidji State, 5-1, in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal. In 40 games, Lawson scored 4 goals with 19 assists and was +12. He was named the CCHA's Best Defensive Defenseman and named to the Second All-Star team for his play.The Figthing Irish finished with a record of 31-6-3.

2009-10: Big things were expected of Notre Dame but the Irish struggled with injuries and inconsistency, fading down the stretch and finishing in ninth place in the 12-team CCHA and then being bounced from the CCHA tournament with a pair of losses at Ohio State. In 38 games for the Irish, Lawson scored 4 goals with 18 assists, scoring three times on the power play and a pair of game-winning goals. Lawson's plus/minus of -7 was the worst of his four year career but had as much to do with Notre Dame's sub-par play as it did anything in his game. In fact, Lawson also played some at forward this season in an effort to give the Irish attack a boost. Following the loss to Ohio State, he signed to an entry level contract by the Hurricanes and played ten games with Albany in the AHL, registering 1 assist and finishing -1.

2010-11: Lawson spent most of his first season of pro hockey with ECHL Florida – appearing in 18 AHL games with Charlotte during three call-ups. He appeared in two November games and then three December contests before spending a 13-game stretch with the Checkers from February 15 through March 12. The offensively-skilled defenseman did not register a point and was -4 with 4 PMs during his tenure with Charlotte. In 51 ECHL games with the Everblades he had 12 assists and was -15 with 54 PMs. He played in four playoff games for the Everblades and was scoreless and -3.

2011-12: Lawson played just 29 games for the ECHL's Florida Everblades , missing much of the season due to a series of injuries. He had 1 goal with 9 assists and was plus-seven with 12 penalty minutes. Lawson was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Hurricanes in June 2012; becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Talent Analysis

Lawson is a steady, defensive defensemen with some offensive components to his game. Playing alongside the high-profile Cole in college, Lawson's workman-like approach was often overlooked. However, his steady play was a key to the success Notre Dame enjoyed during his career. Lawson stands up well at the blueline, works hard in the corners and boasts solid all-around play in front of the net. Can play a physical game but tends to set the tempo by controlling the puck and angling opponents. Though a bit shorter than ideal for a defensemen at the NHL level, Lawson plays with a lot of poise and provides offensive flair from the back end.

Future

Lawson was not re-signed by the Hurricanes and is now playing in the ECHL for the 2012-13 season.